Interieur van de Nieuwe Kerk te Amsterdam, gezien richting het orgel 1685 - 1726

Daniël Stopendaal created this print of the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam using etching and engraving. The image is made of countless tiny lines, all carefully bitten into the metal plate with acid, and then deepened with a hand-held burin. The print rewarded patience and skill. As you can see, Stopendaal created an illusion of depth, using linear perspective. And note the many figures populating the church interior; these lend a sense of scale. The architecture itself is described in detail, with vaulting ribs, window tracery, and the elaborate case of the organ itself. What I find fascinating is that the print would have been made to satisfy a growing demand for images of Amsterdam. The city was booming commercially at this time, and Stopendaal’s print reflects an interest in documenting its most important buildings. This was part of a broader print culture, driven by a combination of skilled craftsmanship, entrepreneurial vision, and a desire to capture the spirit of a place. So, in a way, this image is just as much about commerce and civic pride, as it is about the church itself.